Drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, and other artistic mediums are all included in the broad subject of visual arts. These programs aim to get students ready for a variety of fascinating artistic occupations. Students who desire to combine a wide liberal arts education with strong art talents in a range of media might consider a visual arts degree program. If you are most content when sketching, painting, sculpting, designing, using a computer, or performing in unusual ways, a visual arts program might be a good choice for you.

With a degree in visual arts, students have the chance to investigate studio art in the framework of a larger liberal arts curriculum. Students can pick up basic methods and ideas found in the visual arts. The importance of creative problem solving is also emphasized through in-depth analyses of artistic themes and problems.

Structure of visual-arts academic programs

Visual arts bachelor's degrees generally take three years to complete, but they can last four years if you complete an optional placement year. The third year of your study includes placement years, which provide you with valuable insight into potential career paths. There are opportunities for postgraduate study if you want to improve your knowledge and abilities even more. While Master of Arts (MA) degrees require one year of full-time study, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs last 18 to 24 months.

You'll spend a lot of your time as a visual arts student in studio-based lectures, tutorials, workshops, and critiques. Along with field tours to art galleries and exhibitions, several universities also provide guest lectures by subject-matter specialists.

Since visual arts is such a far-reaching field, students usually choose to specialize in a particular branch of the subject. Most universities offer an array of elective modules so it’s easy to tailor your degree to your interests, but here are some of the core modules you can expect to encounter: 

• Understanding visual culture 

• Principles and theories of visual communication 

• Cultural, historical and contemporary influences on visual art

• Fundamentals of drawing, color, and form

• Painting 

• Photography 

• Digital art forms 

• Graphics

Best universities to study visual arts

Visual arts is taught at many universities around the world. The best universities to study visual arts are University of Windsor (Canada), Stockton University (the US), Thompson Rivers University (Canada), Miami International University of Art & Design (the US), University of the Fraser Valley (Canada).

Career prospects

All universities prepare its graduates to find work in a constantly evolving arts job market. Graduates can work as a visual effects artist, web designer, educator, gallery owner, art director, painter and others.